City to use grant to extend riverwalk

By Eddie Fitzgerald, Sun Journal Staff

Published: Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 03:29 PM.

People who like to stroll along the riverfront in New Bern soon will have more access.

The New Bern Board of Aldermen approved a contract with the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Tuesday to receive a $183,146 grant that will be used as part of a $244,195 extension of the city’s riverwalk along the Trent River.

Mark Stephens, interim city manager, said the grant requires a 25 percent match, or $61,049, from the city. The city will match the grant with $30,000 of in-kind work and the remaining $31,049 is cash, he said.

The extended walkway will be from Eden Street between Tryon Palace and Trent Court and will go behind the New Bern Housing Authority administration building to Liberty Street off Walt Bellamy Drive, ending near the Leander Morgan Park.

Plans for the walkway include access to Trent River through a non-motorized boat launch for kayaks and canoes and a pier with a gazebo.

The purpose of the Public Beach and Estuarine Access Grant is to provide pedestrian access to public beaches and public trust waters in the 20 coastal counties where the grant funds are available. The grant may be used for land acquisition and site improvement projects that are consistent with state guidelines for public access in the coastal area, according to a memorandum to aldermen from Jeff Ruggieri, director of Development Services.

Sue Steinhauser, community development coordinator for Development Services, said the contract with the NCDENR stipulates the project has to be completed by Aug. 31, 2015.

People who like to stroll along the riverfront in New Bern soon will have more access.

The New Bern Board of Aldermen approved a contract with the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Tuesday to receive a $183,146 grant that will be used as part of a $244,195 extension of the city’s riverwalk along the Trent River.

Mark Stephens, interim city manager, said the grant requires a 25 percent match, or $61,049, from the city. The city will match the grant with $30,000 of in-kind work and the remaining $31,049 is cash, he said.

The extended walkway will be from Eden Street between Tryon Palace and Trent Court and will go behind the New Bern Housing Authority administration building to Liberty Street off Walt Bellamy Drive, ending near the Leander Morgan Park.

Plans for the walkway include access to Trent River through a non-motorized boat launch for kayaks and canoes and a pier with a gazebo.

The purpose of the Public Beach and Estuarine Access Grant is to provide pedestrian access to public beaches and public trust waters in the 20 coastal counties where the grant funds are available. The grant may be used for land acquisition and site improvement projects that are consistent with state guidelines for public access in the coastal area, according to a memorandum to aldermen from Jeff Ruggieri, director of Development Services.

Sue Steinhauser, community development coordinator for Development Services, said the contract with the NCDENR stipulates the project has to be completed by Aug. 31, 2015.

Mayor Dana Outlaw said he was pleased to see the city get the grant.

“I certainly like seeing this come to fruition,” he said.

Eddie Fitzgerald can be reached at 252-635-5675 or at eddie.fitzgerald@newbernsj.com.